Chiang Mai my fave when I was there 20+ years ago

Bangkok must dos: get on the river, see the snake farm, the floating market and so on, but mostly just the houses lining the river like houses here line roads. Completely different way of life. Obvs the temples, big Buddhas etc - you've seen other big cities in the region so you'll know what to expect.

Chiang Mai: they'll sell you tours but obvs much cheaper to make your own way up to the big climby steppy thing with loads of bells at the top. It's worth it. You can ride elephants if you want - we did then I regretted it in later life when I read about how those elephants were treated to give me my Tourist Experience(tm). Absolute highlight of whole trip was rafting down the river - just incredible, if you're lucky no-one's yapping (there's 4-5 to a raft) and you get more or less perfect silence apart from the water and wildlife. Also the night market, bears and so on. I much preferred Chiang Mai to Bangkok.

Didn't go to Krabi or Koh Lanta so can't comment on those.

Posted By: Old Man, Nov 14, 12:31:54